In a new study from the University of Illinois Chicago, researchers have developed a compound that may one day offer hope for pancreatic cancer treatment.
They found that the compound, called XP-524, more than may double the average survival time for pancreatic cancer and that survival time was extended further when combined with immunotherapy.
XP-524 alters two proteins involved in the formation of several tumor types.
The compound blocks these proteins, which helps to reactivate immune responses to the most common type of pancreatic cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
In the study, the researchers found that XP-524 also sensitizes the pancreatic tumors to immune checkpoint therapy, a specific type of immune therapy that helps the body recognize and fight cancer cells.
In addition to extending survival in laboratory models of the disease, the team also found XP-524 turned on the immune response and, when used in combination with an anti-PD1 antibody, more than doubled the survival time in mouse models.
It could be a useful strategy to sensitize pancreatic tumors to immune checkpoint inhibition.
Currently, there are no effective treatments for pancreatic cancer.
The disease, which is resistant to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy, has a low five-year survival rate—11% for all stages combined and less than 5% for cancer that has spread.
In research, XP-524 appears to reprogram the pancreatic tumor to extend survival, the team says.
If you care about pancreatic cancer, please read studies about new vaccine that may protect against pancreatic cancer, and a new way to kill pancreatic cancer from within.
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The study is published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and was conducted by Ajay Rana et al.
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